1 Chronicles24
New King James Version
1Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2And Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests.
3Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.
4There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.
5Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of the house of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.
6And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
7Now the first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
17the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the Lord according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
20And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21Concerning Rehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24Of the sons of Uzziel, Michah; of the sons of Michah, Shamir.
25The brother of Michah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi; the son of Jaaziah, Beno.
27The sons of Merari by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.
28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29Of Kish: the son of Kish, Jerahmeel.
30Also the sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
31These also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers did just as their younger brethren.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 24.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The divisions of the priests and Levites. (1-31).
vv1-31
When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.
Key Words
מַחֲלֹקֶת: a section (of Levites, people or soldiers)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
נָדָב: Nadab, the name of four Israelites
אֲבִיהוּא: Abihu, a son of Aaron
אֶלְעָזָר: Elazar, the name of seven Israelites
אִיתָמָר: Ithamar, a son of Aaron
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
1 Chronicles 24Explicitly details the death of Nadab and Abihu before Aaron without children.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, belonged to the course of Abijah (the eighth course).
Supported by Matthew Poole
The account of Nadab and Abihu dying by fire before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Corroborates Zadok and Ahimelech son of Abiathar serving together as priests.
Supported by JFB
Relates to the weekly rotation system of the priests entering the temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists the sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The ultimate deposition of Abiathar (Ithamar line) and sole appointment of Zadok.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the use of lots to distribute offices solemnly and prevent jealousy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The principle of casting lots to refer the decision entirely to God's disposal.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions Rehabiah as the son of Eliezer.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Shelomoth as the son of Izhar among the Levites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Jeriah and the other sons of Hebron.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that Eleazar the son of Mahli died having no sons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
Supported by Matthew Poole